The cake was sliced and handed out, but when everyone shouted, ‘Speech!’ Goodfellow declined.

‘I’ve just looked out of the window, my friends. I think maybe we should call it a day or some of you won’t be able to get home. It looks like we might have a blizzard later and I’m sure that Lady Lyndon don’t want to have us all sleeping here on the floor.’

‘Anyway, it’s Christmas Eve and I expect you all want to get home,’ Kate added quickly before anyone had the nerve to argue. There was a sudden hush and even the tipsiest of the guests nodded blearily, agreeing that they had better leave before the snowstorm made the lanes impassable.

Kate went to the drawing room where she discovered that Lady Lyndon had fallen asleep over a glass of port. Arabella was all smiles as she chatted to Giles Pomeroy-Smith and it seemed a pity to disturb them. This left Kate little choice other than to act as hostess and she stationed herself at the front door, shaking hands with everyone as they left and wishing them a very merry Christmas. The last to leave were the vicar and his wife, although Hedley was lingering at the far end of the entrance hall, deep in conversation with Jenny.

‘Hedley, we’re leaving now,’ Elaine called impatiently. ‘Come along do, or we’ll be snowed in.’

With obvious reluctance, Hedley joined his parents at the front entrance.

‘What were you doing, Hedley? We don’t consort with servants.’ Elaine wrapped her cloak around her, pulling the hood up so that only her nose was visible.

‘I’m sorry, Mama, but I like her,’ Hedley said sulkily.

‘Don’t answer back to your mama,’ Humphrey countered. ‘You know very well how to behave fitting your position, Hedley. An officer and a gentleman would not encourage a servant to think more highly of themselves than they should.’

‘I’m surprised to hear you say so, Vicar.’ Kate could keep silent no longer. ‘Jenny is a very nice, kind and intelligent young woman. Any man would be very fortunate to earn her good opinion.’

‘That is very impertinent, Miss Martin,’ Elaine said, bristling. ‘I’ll ask you to mind your own business.’

‘No, Mama.’ Hedley faced his mother with a stubborn lift of his chin. ‘I have been ill and Jenny has made me feel better. She listens to me and she understands how I feel.’

‘Has this liaison been going on for long?’ Humphrey’s voice echoed around the high ceiling of the entrance hall, causing the remaining guests to stop and stare.

‘It is not a liaison, Papa,’ Hedley said firmly. ‘I have been fortunate enough to earn the good opinion of a lovely young woman, and I rejoice in the fact.’

Kate cleared her throat. ‘Perhaps this conversation would be better continued at home, Hedley?’